Chapter 59
Title: Pinnacle of Arts
Edited by: GB
If Jiraiya hadn't asked "whose work" but instead, a little firmer, like, "your drawing", Akabane would have been unable to deny it.
Now, he pretended that those lewd drawings weren't written by him and just sat there quietly, eating seafood.
"This drawing technique... oh, what a waste of talent. I've searched along the riverbank, but I've only been able to collect these pieces."
Jiraiya treated the remaining pieces like treasure.
"Ah, what are you going to do with those?" Tsunade asked while looking disgusted.
If it hadn't been for Akabane to remind her to be restrained, she would have rushed over to tear that page instantly.
"You wouldn't understand such art. This is the pinnacle of art and a reminiscence of genius to pursue learning," Jiraiya explained fluently.
"…" Orochimaru was speechless at this shameless teammate.
As a fellow of the same genre, Hiruzen sighed lightly. Pointing to the table, he said, "Eat up now, or else Akabane will eat it all by himself."
"Don't say nonsense Sensei, I only ate two shrimps."
Akabane didn't dare to share another word with Jiraiya. If he knew that Akabane still had the remaining pages, he wouldn't be able to come back to Konoha alive .
"It's alright, you can eat everything."
Hiruzen pretended not to hear him. Otherwise, the topic would never end.
"You beast! I'm starving too!"
Jiraiya also shouted, as expected, and quickly put the topic to the back of his head.
While everyone was eating, they felt something was off...
They all turned to see that Tsunade's hands were soaked with grease, as she ate messily.
What the hell?
Akabane looked her way, very heartbroken, watching as she spit out a shrimp shell.
It is an insult to eat like that!
"Why is everyone looking at me like that?" Tsunade asked.
"Come on, eat! This is so yummy!"
"Ah... No, it's nothing. I'll ask them to fry up some more." Hiruzen didn't dare to interrupt her.
He hasn't seen her eating before, but now, it looks too terrifying. He felt sorry for those shrimps.
"Sorry, I just haven't got a decent meal these days." Tsunade realized that she was eating too much, and bowed her head ashamedly.
After non-stop training today, she was exhausted and everything she ate was to replenish her chakra, or so she said.
Akabane had seen this before when he read the comic, but it turns out that the reality is completely different.
He silently picked up a few shrimps, crabs, and such.
According to what he knew, before he could finish eating his few food items, there would probably be no food left on the table.
Glancing at them, Orochimaru and Jiraiya didn't know how serious this situation was, so they kept eating slowly, without any thoughts of snatching some food from Tsunade's reach.
Within seconds, the two of them were staring at the now-empty table.
Then, the three of them stared at Akabane in a daze. Because now, the only food left is the two uneaten crabs on Akabane's plate.
"Akaba… You know, we also need to eat and regain some energy. So share some of yours, will you?" Tsunade begged Akabane with her puppy eyes, trying to make them look as cute as possible.
"Tsunade, you know there are other ways to get more energy besides eating, no need to take mine…" Akabane guarded his crabs with a suspicious glare directed at the three younger ninjas eyeing his food.
"Ah, stingy…" She didn't force him.
She just ate too much and too fast for the chefs to catch up, so she'll have to suffer the consequences and wait. Her chakra was almost fully charged again anyway. So it wouldn't be too big of a deal if she waited a little longer.
Plus, they weren't in a hurry, so she can eat as much as she wants and doesn't need to worry about it.
"New dishes are here…" The chef announced and brought in some more food, still hot from the fryer.
Jiraiya and Orochimaru were quick to react and stake claim on some of the food, "Tsunade, spare us some this time!"
"Even Sarutobi-sensei hasn't eaten yet."
"…" Hiruzen could only watch on amusedly at this group of genin.
Akabane had finished his meal, but witnessing this scene, moved him a little.
This meal is their last meal in Uzumaki Village. Tomorrow morning, they will have to hit the road again.
Although there were twists and turns, their journey to this village gave them some good memories.
But Akabane felt a bit sad because his comics weren't sold out. Probably because his readers were only from children. And after all, the volumes published so far were mainly focused on Konoha, so villagers here couldn't relate to Naruto much.
This made his points increase slower than he thought. It was almost at the same rate as when the book was first released. But since he was still receiving points from the shop in Konoha, and the points from Uzushiogakure is just a bonus, this didn't affect him negatively in any way.
Akabane sighed secretly and then thought about his current 100 points, and the 4,000 point ninjutsu he was saving up for.
I still have a ways to go, huh… Just thinking about all the work that I need to do in order to reach 4,000 points gives me a headache.
Akabane thought hard. He's starting to think that he needs a pen name. After all, he is an independent illustrator here and might be the first one. Thus, he can't affiliate himself with any village, or else he could be suspected as a spy or some kind of conspirator.
More than that, I have to come up with a way to distribute the comics in other countries as well, such as a Water Country.
"Akabane, you will stay for a while. Once we're done here, you can take a rest," Hiruzen smoked his cigarette and waited until his students finished their meals to speak. "As for the rest of you, you are dismissed."
"Yes, sensei." Orochimaru bowed, turned, and took the lead to leave.
Instead of following after Orochimaru, Tsunade sneered, "I hope it's nothing sketchy."
Hiruzen's face blushed. Since he exposed the telescope, he has no confidence in front of Tsunade. "Ah… don't think about it too much, it's just official business."
Akabane kept his eyes and thoughts to himself, not interjecting into such a topic.
Tsunade gave them both one last warning look, then turned to go back to her room.
Jiraiya muttered something under his breath after hearing what Tsunade said, but didn't say anything and just turned to leave.
After the three of them left, Hiruzen was silent for a moment, and then said, "Tomiko will temporarily reside in your house from now on. I hope you can take good care of her."
"No problem, I've promised her that I'll give her the best life possible." Akabane said without hesitation.
Hiruzen nodded in understanding and continued, "Shikai is not at ease right now. With the current situation of this village, he won't be able to visit her for the time being. So he privately delivered the Kurama Clan some benefits. The gift will be delivered tomorrow."
"What?!" Akabane was shocked to hear that.
It sounds like you're going to give a marital contract to my parents!?
"Are there any others besides Tomiko Uzumaki?"
"I have told Tsunade about a few children, and the other three were accepted by our clan." Hiruzen said.
"Alright, I have no issues with that. Is there anything else? I want to get to my bed as soon as possible," Akabane yawned, feeling sleepy.
"Um… Akabane, I wonder what is the content of that painting before?"
"Sensei, I don't know anything about it. Maybe Tsunade knows something?" Akabane smiled and denied it.
Although Jiraiya probably didn't notice it was Akabane who wrote it, as an experienced conversationalist and a Hokage, he can clearly see through Akabane.
He must find another way to see the pages without getting caught, especially by Tsunade.